Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder affecting about 1 percent of people in the United States. People who have schizophrenia suffer from a variety of complicated and often debilitating symptoms, requiring lifelong treatment, management and support. Bipolar disorder is a severe manic-depressive disease evidenced by shifts in emotional highs and lows and ups and downs in energy levels. Bipolar disorder also lasts a lifetime, and lifelong treatment is required.

Types

• There are five types of schizophrenia: catatonic, paranoid, disorganized, undifferentiated and residual. All types are characterized by various psychotic symptoms that adversely affect normal life. There are five types of bipolar disorder as well: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cylothymia, rapid cycling bipolar disorder and mixed state bipolar disorder. All disorders are characterized by different levels of mania and manic highs and lows with varying phases exhibiting mild to severe depressive symptoms.

Symptoms

• There are three main categories of schizophrenic symptoms: positive, negative and cognitive. Symptoms can include thought and movement disorders, flat facial expressions, hallucinations, delusions, poor hygiene, lack of interest in life, antisocial behavior, poor judgment, an inability to pay attention and an inability to comprehend and remember information recently heard. People with bipolar disorder experience intermittent and varying levels of behavioral changes and mood swings, such as euphoria, extreme optimism, sadness, hopelessness, sleeplessness, suicidal tendencies and drug abuse.

Treatment

• Schizophrenia is treated with antipsychotic medications, such as Thorazine, Haldol or Etrafon. Schizophrenics may also find effective results through psychosocial treatments such as illness management, integrated treatment for substance abuse, cognitive behavioral therapy, rehabilitation and self-help groups. Treatments for bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medications, antidepressants and sometimes atypical antipsychotic medications which may help both manic and depressive symptoms. Bipolar disorder is also treated with psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and hospitalization.

Side Effects

• People taking antipsychotic medications to treat both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may gain weight and experience metabolic changes, increasing their risk for developing diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Patients may also experience blurry vision or rapid heartbeat, may become drowsy or dizzy, have menstrual problems and suffer from skin rashes. Women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant should discuss side effects with their doctor.

Risks and Complications

• People who suffer from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may think about or actually commit suicide. They're also likely to abuse drugs, alcohol and nicotine. Schizophrenics who smoke may need higher doses of antipsychotic medications. Those with bipolar disorder may have a family member with the same disease. Drug abuse, a stressful life and major life change experiences, such as a death in the family or loss of a job, may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder. Those with bipolar disorder have a hard time keeping a job and usually have financial and legal problems.